Combination of ibudilast and riluzole and methods of using same

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates generally to methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases, including their progressive forms. In particular, the present disclosure pertains to methods of treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases, including their progressive forms and their associated symptoms by administering a combination of ibudilast (3-isobutyryl-2-isopropylpyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine) and riluzole, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of one or both thereof.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of the priority date of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/084,879, filed Nov. 26, 2014, the contentof which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to methods for treatingneurodegenerative diseases, including those which are of the progressivevariety. For example, the present invention pertains to methods oftreating or preventing progressive neurodegenerative diseases and itsassociated symptoms by administration of a combination of ibudilast(3-isobutyryl-2-isopropylpyrazolo [1,5-a]pyridine) and riluzole(2-amino-6-(trifluoromethoxy) benzothiazole).

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Ibudilast

Ibudilast is a small molecule drug (molecular weight of 230.3) havingthe structure shown below.

Ibudilast is also found under ChemBank ID 3227, CAS # 50847-11-5, andBeilstein Handbook Reference No. 5-24-03-00396. Its molecular formulacorresponds to C₁₄H₁₈N₂O. Ibudilast is also known by various chemicalnames including2-methyl-1-(2-(1-methylethyl)pyrazolo(1,5-a)pyridin-3-yl)1-propanone;3-isobutyryl-2-isopropylpyrazolo (1,5-a)pyridine]; and1-(2-isopropyl-pyrazolo [1,5-a]pyridin-3-yl)-2-methyl-propan-1-one.Other synonyms for ibudilast include Ibudilastum (Latin), BRN 0656579,KC-404, and MN-166. Its brand name is Ketas®. Ibudilast, as referred toherein, is meant to include any and all pharmaceutically acceptable saltforms thereof, prodrug forms (e.g., the corresponding ketal), solvates,and the like, as appropriate for use in its intended formulation foradministration.

Ibudilast has been widely used in Japan for relieving symptomsassociated with ischemic stroke or bronchial asthma. Marketedindications for ibudilast in Japan include its use as a vasodilator, fortreating allergy, eye tissue regeneration, ocular disease, and treatmentof allergic ophthalmic disease (Thompson Current Drug Reports). USPatent Application Publication No. 2009/0062330 discloses the treatmentof progressive neurodegenerative diseases by the administration ofibudilast. This publication generally discloses that ibudilast may beadministered in a combination treatment along with an additional agenteffective for treating progressive neurodegenerative diseases, but doesnot provide any guidance on the choice of the additional agent.

Riluzole

Riluzole has the formula:

and is indicated for the treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateralsclerosis (ALS). Chemically, riluzole is 2-amino-6-(trifluoromethoxy)benzothiazole.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a novel approach to treating aneurodegenerative disease or disorder, including progressive forms, andis based on the administration of a combination of ibudilast andriluzole.

Accordingly, in one embodiment, the present disclosure is a method ofalleviating negative effects of a neurodegenerative disease or disorderin a human patient suffering therefrom, comprising administering to thehuman patient in need thereof:

-   -   (a) a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one embodiment, the disclosure is a method of slowing progression ofdisease in a patient diagnosed with a chronic neurodegenerative disease,comprising administering to the patient:

-   -   (a) a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another embodiment, the disclosure is a method of treating a patientdiagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease or disorder, comprisingadministering to the patient:

-   -   (a) a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one embodiment, the neurodegenerative disease or disorder isAlzheimer's disease, Senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, Pick'sdisease (lobar atrophy), syndromes combining progressive dementia withother prominent neurologic abnormalities, Huntington's disease, multiplesystem atrophy combining dementia with ataxia and/or manifestation ofParkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy(Steele-Richardson-Olszewski), diffuse Lewy body disease,corticodentatinigral degeneration, Hallervorden-Spatz disease,progressive familial myoclonic epilepsy, symptoms of graduallydeveloping abnormalities of posture and movement, paralysis agitans(Parkinson's disease), striatonigral degeneration, progressivesupranuclear palsy, torsion dystonia (torsion spasm; dystonia musculorumdeformans), spasmodic torticollis and other restricted dyskinesias,Familial tremor, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, progressive ataxia,cerebellar degenerations, spinocerebellar degenerations, cerebellarcortical degeneration, olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA),spinocerebellar degenerations (Friedreich's ataxia and relateddisorders), central autonomic nervous system failure (Shy-Dragersyndrome), syndromes of muscular weakness and wasting without sensorychanges (motor neuron disease), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),spinal muscular atrophy, infantile spinal muscular atrophy(Werdnig-Hoffmann), juvenile spinal muscular atrophy(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander), other forms of familial spinal muscularatrophy, primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia,syndromes combining muscular weakness and wasting with sensory changes(progressive neural muscular atrophy; chronic familialpolyneuropathies), peroneal muscular atrophy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth),hypertrophic interstitial polyneuropathy (Deferine-Sottas), ormiscellaneous forms of chronic progressive neuropathy, syndromes ofprogressive visual loss, pigmentary degeneration of the retina(retinitis pigmentosa), hereditary optic atrophy (Leber's disease),Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders, progressivesupranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome), torsiondystonia (torsion spasm, dystonia musculorum deformans), focaldystonias, motor neuron disease, progressive ataxias, primary lateralsclerosis, multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block, motorneuropathy with paraproeinemia, motor-predominant peripheralneuropathies, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Azorean (Machado-Joseph)disease, familial progressive neurodegenerative diseases, familialamyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophies, familialspastic paraparesis, hereditary biochemical disorders, arthrogryposismuliplex congenital, or progressive juvenile bulbar palsy (Fazio-Londe),infantile (Werdnig-Hoffman disease), childhood onset, or adolescent(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease), familial HTLV-1 myelopathy,isolated FSP, or complicated FSP, superoxide dismutase deficiency,hexosaminidase A and B deficiency, androgen receptor mutation (Kennedy'ssyndrome), viral and prion diseases, myelopathy, progressive multifocalleukoencephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease,Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, kuru, fatal familial insomnia,Alper's disease, primary progressive or secondary progressive multiplesclerosis, but not relapsing, remitting multiple sclerosis,frontotemporal dementia, Wilson's disease, progressive neuropathic pain,ischemia caused by stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cordinjury.

In one embodiment, the neurodegenerative disease is of the progressivetype.

In another embodiment, the neurodegenerative disease or disorder isAlzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS), or multiple sclerosis. In a specific embodiment, theneurodegenerative disease or disorder is ALS.

In one embodiment, the disclosure is a method of reducing a volume of aninfarct (an area of necrosis in a tissue or organ resulting fromobstruction of the local circulation by a thrombus or embolus) in apatient suffering from an ischemia, comprising administering to apatient in need thereof:

-   -   (a) a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,        in which a volume of an infarct in the treated patient is        reduced compared to a volume of an infarct in a control patient.

In one embodiment, the ibudilast and riluzole, or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof are administered orally.

In one embodiment, ibudilast and riluzole, or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof, are administered in separate dosage forms. Inanother embodiment, ibudilast and the riluzole, or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salts thereof, are administered in the same dosage form. Alsothe ibudilast and riluzole, if present in separate dosage forms, may beadministered concurrently or at different times.

In one embodiment, the ibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof is administered in an amount from about 100 to about 4,000mg/day, divided into one, two, or three portions. In another embodiment,the riluzole or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administeredin an amount from about 1 mg/kg to about 1000 mg/kg of the patient,divided into one, two, or three portions. In a particular embodiment,the riluzole or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administeredat a total dose of from about 10 mg per day to about 500 mg per day. Inanother embodiment, the riluzole or pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof is administered once a day at a dose of from about 10 mg toabout 500 mg. In another embodiment, the riluzole or pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof is administered twice a day at a total dose offrom about 10 mg per day to about 500 mg per day.

In one embodiment, the disclosure is a composition, comprising:

-   -   (a) ibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,    -   (b) riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (c) optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or        carrier.

In one embodiment, the composition comprises from about 100 to about4,000 mg of ibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof andfrom about 10 to about 500 mg of riluzole or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.

In one embodiment, the composition is an oral tablet or capsule. Inanother embodiment, the composition is an oral liquid dosage form.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 graphically illustrates comparative life span in Sod1 mutants(Sod1l⁻) and wt (Sod1+). Maximum life span of mutants is 25-30 dayscompared to 70-80 days for controls; recovering on life span curve canindicate positive compound activity.

FIG. 2 graphically illustrates high (% viability) sensitivity ofSOD1-null adults compared to a wild stock after exposure of adult fliesto 2 mmol of paraquat. Resistance to paraquat treatment can indicatepositive activity of the compound tested.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The practice of the present disclosure will employ, unless otherwiseindicated, conventional methods of chemistry, biochemistry, andpharmacology, within the skill of the art. Such techniques are explainedfully in the literature. See, e.g.; A. L. Lehninger, Biochemistry (WorthPublishers, Inc., current addition); Morrison and Boyd, OrganicChemistry (Allyn and Bacon, Inc., current addition); J. March, AdvancedOrganic Chemistry (McGraw Hill, current addition); Remington: TheScience and Practice of Pharmacy, A. Gennaro, Ed., 20th Ed.; FDA'sOrange Book, Goodman & Gilman The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics,J. Griffith Hardman, L. L. Limbird, A. Gilman, 11th Ed., 2005, The MerckManual, 18th edition, 2007, and The Merck Manual of Medical Information2003.

All publications cited herein, including internet articles, the FDAOrange Book (available on the FDA's website), books, handbooks, journalarticles, patents and patent applications, whether supra or infra, arehereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Definitions

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the intendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referentsunless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example,reference to “a drug” includes a single drug as well as two or more ofthe same or different drugs, reference to “an optional excipient” refersto a single optional excipient as well as two or more of the same ordifferent optional excipients, and the like.

“Administering” or “administration of” a drug to a patient (andgrammatical equivalents of this phrase) includes both directadministration, including self-administration, and indirectadministration, including the act of prescribing a drug. For example, asused herein, a physician who instructs a patient to self-administer adrug and/or provides a patient with a prescription for a drug isadministering the drug to the patient.

“Comprising” shall mean that the methods and compositions include therecited elements, but not exclude others. “Consisting essentially of”when used to define methods and compositions, shall mean excluding otherelements of any essential significance to the combination for the statedpurpose. Thus, a composition consisting essentially of the elements asdefined herein would not exclude trace contaminants from the isolationand purification method and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, suchas phosphate buffered saline, preservatives and the like. “Consistingof” shall mean excluding more than trace elements of other ingredientsand substantial method steps for administering the compositions of thisdisclosure or process steps to produce a composition or achieve anintended result. Embodiments defined by each of these transitional termsand phrases are within the scope of this disclosure.

“Effective amount” of a compound utilized herein is an amount that, whenadministered to a patient treated as herein, will have the intendedtherapeutic effect, e.g., alleviation, amelioration, palliation orelimination of one or more manifestations of the medical condition inthe patient. The full therapeutic effect does not necessarily occur byadministration of one dose (or dosage), and may occur only afteradministration of a series of doses. Thus, an effective amount may beadministered in one or more administrations.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable” refers to non-toxic and suitable foradministration to a patient, including a human patient.

“Pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refer to salts that are non-toxicand are suitable for administration to patients. “Pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt” includes, but is not limited to, amino acid salts,salts prepared with inorganic acids, such as chloride, sulfate,phosphate, diphosphate, bromide, and nitrate salts, or salts preparedfrom the corresponding inorganic acid form of any of the preceding,e.g., hydrochloride, etc., or salts prepared with an organic acid, suchas malate, maleate, fumarate, tartrate, succinate, ethylsuccinate,citrate, acetate, lactate, methanesulfonate, benzoate, ascorbate,para-toluenesulfonate, palmoate, salicylate and stearate, as well asestolate, gluceptate and lactobionate salts. Similarly salts containingpharmaceutically acceptable cations include, but are not limited to,sodium, potassium, calcium, aluminum, lithium, and ammonium (includingsubstituted ammonium).

“Treating” a medical condition or a patient refers to taking steps toobtain beneficial or desired results, including clinical results. Forpurposes of the various aspects and embodiments of the presentdisclosure, beneficial or desired clinical results include, but are notlimited to, reduction, alleviation, or amelioration of one or moremanifestations of or negative effects of ALS, PLS or familial ALS,improvement in one or more clinical outcomes, diminishment of extent ofsclerosis, delay or slowing of sclerosis progression, amelioration,palliation, or stabilization of the scleroses state, and otherbeneficial results described herein.

By “neurodegenerative disease” means any neurodegenerative disease thatcauses the loss of structure or function of neurons in the nervoussystem of an individual, including death of neurons. Neurodegenerativedisease includes progressive neurodegenerative diseases, in which thesymptoms worsen over time. In certain instances, the symptoms worsen ata gradual rate. Examples of progressive neurodegenerative diseasesinclude Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinsonism and amyotrophic lateralsclerosis. An example of a neurodegenerative disease is a relapsing andremitting form of multiple sclerosis (MS). MS also exhibits progressiveforms.

The term “central nervous system” or “CNS” includes all cells and tissueof the brain and spinal cord of a vertebrate. Thus, the term includes,but is not limited to, neuronal cells, glial cells, astrocytes,cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), interstitial spaces and the like.

The terms “subject,” “individual,” or “patient” are used interchangeablyherein and refer to a vertebrate, preferably a mammal. Mammals include,but are not limited to, murines, rodents, simians, humans, farm animals,sport animals and pets.

The terms “pharmacologically effective amount” or “therapeuticallyeffective amount” of a composition or agent, as provided herein, referto a nontoxic but sufficient amount of the composition or agent toprovide the desired response, such as a reduction, alleviation, orreversal of the symptoms of neurodegenerative diseases. The exact amountrequired will vary from subject to subject, depending on the species,age, and general condition of the subject, the severity of the conditionbeing treated, the particular drug or drugs employed, mode ofadministration, and the like. An appropriate “effective” amount in anyindividual case may be determined by one of ordinary skill in the artusing routine experimentation, based upon the information providedherein.

The term “about,” particularly in reference to a given quantity, ismeant to encompass deviations of plus or minus five percent.

As stated previously, a reference to any one or more of theherein-described drugs, in particular ibudilast, is meant to encompass,where applicable, any and all enantiomers, mixtures of enantiomersincluding racemic mixtures, prodrugs, pharmaceutically acceptable saltforms, hydrates (e.g., monohydrates, dihydrates, etc.), solvates,different physical forms (e.g., crystalline solids, amorphous solids),metabolites, and the like.

Methods of Treatment

In one embodiment, the disclosure is a method of alleviating negativeeffects of a neurodegenerative disease or disorder in a human patientsuffering therefrom, comprising administering to a patient in needthereof:

-   -   (a) a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one embodiment, the disclosure is a method of slowing progression ofdisease in a patient diagnosed with a chronic neurodegenerative disease,comprising administering to the patient:

-   -   (a) a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In another embodiment, the disclosure is a method of treating a patientdiagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease or disorder, comprisingadministering to the patient:

(a) a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and

-   -   (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

In one embodiment, the neurodegenerative disease or disorder compromisesthe nervous system.

In another embodiment, the neurodegenerative disease or disorder isAlzheimer's disease, Senile dementia of the Alzheimer type, Pick'sdisease (lobar atrophy), syndromes combining progressive dementia withother prominent neurologic abnormalities, Huntington's disease, multiplesystem atrophy combining dementia with ataxia and/or manifestation ofParkinson's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy(Steele-Richardson-Olszewski), diffuse Lewy body disease,corticodentatinigral degeneration, Hallervorden-Spatz disease,progressive familial myoclonic epilepsy, symptoms of graduallydeveloping abnormalities of posture and movement, paralysis agitans(Parkinson's disease), striatonigral degeneration, progressivesupranuclear palsy, torsion dystonia (torsion spasm; dystonia musculorumdeformans), spasmodic torticollis and other restricted dyskinesias,Familial tremor, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, progressive ataxia,cerebellar degenerations, spinocerebellar degenerations, cerebellarcortical degeneration, olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA),spinocerebellar degenerations (Friedreich's ataxia and relateddisorders), central autonomic nervous system failure (Shy-Dragersyndrome), syndromes of muscular weakness and wasting without sensorychanges (motor neuron disease), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),spinal muscular atrophy, infantile spinal muscular atrophy(Werdnig-Hoffmann), juvenile spinal muscular atrophy(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander), other forms of familial spinal muscularatrophy, primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia,syndromes combining muscular weakness and wasting with sensory changes(progressive neural muscular atrophy; chronic familialpolyneuropathies), peroneal muscular atrophy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth),hypertrophic interstitial polyneuropathy (Deferine-Sottas), ormiscellaneous forms of chronic progressive neuropathy, syndromes ofprogressive visual loss, pigmentary degeneration of the retina(retinitis pigmentosa), hereditary optic atrophy (Leber's disease),Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders, progressivesupranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome), torsiondystonia (torsion spasm, dystonia musculorum deformans), focaldystonias, motor neuron disease, progressive ataxias, primary lateralsclerosis, multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block, motorneuropathy with paraproeinemia, motor-predominant peripheralneuropathies, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Azorean (Machado-Joseph)disease, familial progressive neurodegenerative diseases, familialamyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophies, familialspastic paraparesis, hereditary biochemical disorders, arthrogryposismuliplex congenital, or progressive juvenile bulbar palsy (Fazio-Londe),infantile (Werdnig-Hoffman disease), childhood onset, or adolescent(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease), familial HTLV-1 myelopathy,isolated FSP, or complicated FSP, superoxide dismutase deficiency,hexosaminidase A and B deficiency, androgen receptor mutation (Kennedy'ssyndrome), viral and prion diseases, myelopathy, progressive multifocalleukoencephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease,Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, kuru, fatal familial insomnia,Alper's disease, primary progressive or secondary progressive multiplesclerosis, but not relapsing, remitting multiple sclerosis,frontotemporal dementia, Wilson's disease, progressive neuropathic pain,ischemia caused by stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cordinjury.

In one embodiment, the neurodegenerative disease is of the progressivetype.

In a particular embodiment, the neurodegenerative disease or disorder isAlzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS), or multiple sclerosis. In a particular embodiment, theneurodegenerative disease or disorder is ALS.

In one embodiment, the disclosure is a method of reducing a volume of aninfarct (an area of necrosis in a tissue or organ resulting fromobstruction of the local circulation by a thrombus or embolus) in apatient suffering from an ischemia, comprising administering to apatient in need thereof:

-   -   (a) a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,        in which a volume of an infarct in the treated patient is        reduced compared to a volume of an infarct in a control patient.

Methods of Administration

In some embodiments, the present disclosure comprises administeringibudilast and riluzole, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof,either systemically or centrally (e.g., by intrathecal administration,i.e., into the cerebrospinal fluid surrounding the spinal cord). In afurther embodiment, the present disclosure comprises administeringibudilast and riluzole, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof,systemically, e.g., via parenteral, enteral, oral, intravenous,intranasal, sublingual or other systemic routes, to a human, subject forthe treatment of progressive neurodegenerative diseases.

In a particular embodiment, the present disclosure comprisesadministering ibudilast and riluzole, or pharmaceutically acceptablesalts thereof, orally.

In one embodiment, the disclosure comprises administering ibudilast andriluzole, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof as a singlecombination composition. In terms of patient compliance and ease ofadministration, such an approach is preferred, since patients are oftenadverse to taking multiple pills or dosage forms, often multiple timesdaily, over the duration of treatment. Alternatively, in anotherembodiment, ibudilast and riluzole, or pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof are administered as separate dosage forms. In embodiments inwhich ibudilast and riluzole, or pharmaceutically acceptable saltsthereof are administered as separate dosage forms, ibudilast andriluzole, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof may beadministered simultaneously, sequentially in any order, or separately.

Doses and Dosage Forms

In one embodiment, the disclosure is a composition, comprising:

-   -   (a) ibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,    -   (b) riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (c) optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or        carrier.

In one embodiment, the disclosure is a composition, comprising:

-   -   (a) from about 100 to about 4,000 mg/day of ibudilast or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,    -   (b) from about 50 mg to about 4,000 mg of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (c) optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or        carrier.

In other embodiments, the disclosure is a composition, comprising:

-   -   (a) a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,    -   (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (c) optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or        carrier,        wherein the composition is effective to alleviate the negative        effects of a neurodegenerative disease or disorder in a human        patient suffering therefrom.

Therapeutically effective amounts can be determined by those skilled inthe art, and will be adjusted to the requirements of each particularcase. Effective dosage levels of ibudilast can vary from about 100 toabout 4000 mg per day. In one embodiment, the daily dosage range is 250to 2,000 mg, given in one, two, or three portions. In one embodiment,the daily dosage range of ibudilast is 100 to 500 mg, such as 100, 200,300, 400, or 500 mg given in one, two, or three portions. In oneembodiment, the daily dosage range of ibudilast is about 250 to about2,000 mg, such as 250, 500, 750, 1,000, 1,250, 1,500, 1,750, or 2,000 mggiven in one, two, or three portions. In one embodiment, the dailydosage range of ibudilast is from about 1000 to about 4,000 mg, such asabout 1,000, about 2,000, about 3,000, or about 4,000 mg, given in one,two, or three portions. In another embodiment, the dosage is about 1000mg twice a day. In other embodiments, suitable dosages of ibudilastinclude about 1000 mg four times a day, about 1000 mg twice a day, andabout 750 mg three times a day.

An effective dose of riluzole in a composition of the present disclosureis from about 0.1 mg/kg/day to about 4,000 mg/kg/day, or from about 1mg/kg/day to about 50 mg/kg/day, or from about 1 mg/kg/day to about 25mg per kg/day. In other embodiments, the effective amount of riluzole isfrom about 1 mg/kg/day to about 1000 mg/kg/day given in one, two, orthree portions. In some other embodiments, the effective amount ofriluzole is from about 10 mg/kg/day to about 100 mg/kg/day, about 20mg/kg/day to about 90 mg/kg/day, about 30 mg/kg/day to about 80mg/kg/day, about 40 mg/kg/day to about 70 mg/kg/day, or about 50mg/kg/day to about 60 mg/kg/day. In still some other embodiments, thedose of riluzole is from about 100 mg/kg/day to about 1000 mg/kg/day. Inparticular embodiments, the total dose of riluzole about 10 mg/day toabout 500 mg/day. In some embodiments, the daily dose of riluzole isgiven in one, two, or three portions.

Actual amounts will depend on the circumstances of the patient beingtreated. As those skilled in the art recognize, many factors that modifythe action of the active substance will be taken into account by thetreating physician such as the age, body weight, sex, diet and conditionof the patient, the time of administration, the rate and route ofadministration. Optimal dosages for a given set of conditions can beascertained by those skilled in the art using conventional dosagedetermination tests.

The compounds utilized herein can be formulated in any pharmaceuticallyacceptable form, including liquids, powders, creams, emulsions, pills,troches, suppositories, suspensions, solutions, and the like.Compositions according to the present disclosure will ordinarily beformulated with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable ingredients inaccordance with known and established practice. In general, tablets areformed utilizing a carrier such as modified starch, alone or incombination with carboxymethyl cellulose (Avicel), for example at about10% by weight. The formulations are compressed at from 1,000 to 3,000pounds pressure in the tablet forming process. The tablets preferablyexhibit an average hardness of about 1.5 to 8.0 kp/cm², preferably 5.0to 7.5 kp/cm². Disintegration time varies from about 30 seconds to about15 or 20 minutes.

Compositions for oral use can be provided as hard gelatin capsuleswherein the therapeutically active compounds utilized herein are mixedwith an inert solid diluent such as calcium carbonate, calcium phosphateor kaolin, or as soft gelatin capsules in which the compounds are mixedwith an oleaginous medium, e.g., liquid paraffin or olive oil. Suitablecarriers include magnesium carbonate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugar,lactose, pectin, dextrin, starch, gelatin, tragacanth, methylcellulose,sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, a low melting wax, cocoa butter, and thelike.

The compositions of the present disclosure can be formulated as aqueoussuspensions in admixture with pharmaceutically acceptable excipientssuch as suspending agents including, but not limited to, sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose, methylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose,sodium alginate, polyvinylpyrrolidone, gum tragacanth and gum acacia;dispersing or wetting agents such as naturally occurring phosphatide,e.g., lecithin, or condensation products of an alkaline oxide with fattyacids, e.g., polyoxyethylene stearate, or condensation products ofethylene oxide with long chain aliphatic alcohols, e.g.,heptadecaethylene-oxycetanol, or condensation products of ethylene oxidewith partial esters derived from fatty acids and a hexitol, e.g.,polyoxyethylene sorbitol monoleate or condensation products of ethyleneoxide with partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitolanhydrides, e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitan monoleate. Such aqueoussuspensions can also contain one or more preservatives, e.g., ethyl- orn-propyl-p-hydroxy benzoate, one or more coloring agents, one or moreflavoring agents and one or more sweetening agents, such as glycerol,sorbitol, sucrose, saccharin or sodium or calcium cyclamate.

Suitable compositions of the present disclosure also include sustainedrelease dosage forms, such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,788,055; 4,816,264; 4,828,836; 4,834,965; 4,834,985; 4,996,047;5,071,646; and, U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,974, the contents of which areincorporated herein in their entirety by reference.

Other compositions of the present disclosure suitable for oraladministration include liquid form preparations including emulsions,syrups, elixirs, aqueous solutions, or solid form preparations which areintended to be converted shortly before use to liquid form preparations.Emulsions may be prepared in solutions, for example, in aqueouspropylene glycol solutions or may contain emulsifying agents, forexample, such as lecithin, sorbitan monooleate, or acacia. Aqueoussolutions can be prepared by dissolving the active component in waterand adding suitable colorants, flavors, stabilizing, and thickeningagents. Solid form preparations may contain, in addition to the activecomponent, colorants, flavors, stabilizers, buffers, artificial andnatural sweeteners, dispersants, thickeners, solubilizing agents, andthe like.

The compositions of the present disclosure may be formulated forparenteral administration (e.g., by injection, for example bolusinjection or continuous infusion) and may be presented in unit dose formin ampoules, pre-filled syringes, small volume infusion or in multi-dosecontainers with an added preservative. The compositions may take suchforms as suspensions, solutions, or emulsions in oily or aqueousvehicles, for example as solutions in aqueous polyethylene glycol.Examples of oily or nonaqueous carriers, diluents, solvents or vehiclesinclude propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, vegetable oils (e.g.,olive oil), and injectable organic esters (e.g., ethyl oleate), and maycontain formulatory agents such as preserving, wetting, emulsifying orsuspending, stabilizing and/or dispersing agents. Alternatively, theactive ingredient may be in powder form, obtained by aseptic isolationof sterile solid or by lyophilisation from solution for constitutionbefore use with a suitable vehicle, e.g., sterile, pyrogen-free water.

The compositions of the present disclosure can be formulated for nasaladministration. The solutions or suspensions are applied directly to thenasal cavity by conventional means, for example, with a dropper, pipetteor spray. The formulations may be provided in a single or multidoseform. The patient can administer an appropriate, predetermined volume ofthe solution or suspension via a dropper or pipette. A spray may beadministered for example by means of a metering atomizing spray pump.

The compositions of the present disclosure can be formulated for aerosoladministration, particularly to the respiratory tract and includingintranasal administration. The compound will generally have a smallparticle size for example of the order of 5 microns or less. Such aparticle size may be obtained by means known in the art, for example bymicronization. The active ingredient is provided in a pressurized packwith a suitable propellant such as a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), (forexample, dichlorodifluoromethane, trichlorofluoromethane, ordichlorotetrafluoroethane), carbon dioxide or other suitable gases. Theaerosol may conveniently also contain a surfactant such as lecithin. Thedose of drug may be controlled by a metered valve. Alternatively theactive ingredients may be provided in a form of a dry powder, forexample a powder mix of the compound in a suitable powder base such aslactose, starch, starch derivatives such as hydroxypropylmethylcellulose and polyvinylpyrrolidine. The powder carrier will form a gelin the nasal cavity. The powder composition may be presented in unitdose form for example in capsules or cartridges of, for example gelatinor blister packs from which the powder may be administered by means ofan inhaler.

The compositions of the present disclosure may be formulated for topicaladministration to the epidermis as ointments, creams or lotions, or as atransdermal patch. Ointments and creams may, for example, be formulatedwith an aqueous or oily base with the addition of suitable thickeningand/or gelling agents. Lotions may be formulated with an aqueous or oilybase and will in general also containing one or more emulsifying agents,stabilizing agents, dispersing agents, suspending agents, thickeningagents, or coloring agents. Formulations suitable for topicaladministration in the mouth include lozenges including active agents ina flavored base, usually sucrose and acacia or tragacanth; pastillesincluding the active ingredient in an inert base such as gelatin andglycerin or sucrose and acacia; and mouthwashes including the activeingredient in a suitable liquid carrier.

The compositions of the present disclosure may be formulated foradministration as suppositories. In such a formulation, a low meltingwax, such as a mixture of fatty acid glycerides or cocoa butter is firstmelted and the active component is dispersed homogeneously, for example,by stirring. The molten homogeneous mixture is then poured intoconvenient sized molds, allowed to cool, and to solidify.

The compositions of the present disclosure may be formulated for vaginaladministration. Pessaries, tampons, creams, gels, pastes, foams orsprays containing in addition to the active ingredient such carriers asare known in the art to be appropriate.

Oral Compositions

Oral compositions of the present disclosure may further comprise one ormore pharmaceutically acceptable excipients or carriers. Exemplaryexcipients include, without limitation, polyethylene glycol (PEG),hydrogenated castor oil (HCO), cremophors, carbohydrates, starches(e.g., corn starch), inorganic salts, antimicrobial agents,antioxidants, binders/fillers, surfactants, lubricants (e.g., calcium ormagnesium stearate), glidants such as talc, disintegrants, diluents,buffers, acids, bases, film coats, combinations thereof, and the like.

A composition of the disclosure may include one or more carbohydratessuch as a sugar, a derivatized sugar such as an alditol, aldonic acid,an esterified sugar, and/or a sugar polymer. Specific carbohydrateexcipients include, for example: monosaccharides, such as fructose,maltose, galactose, glucose, D-mannose, sorbose, and the like;disaccharides, such as lactose, sucrose, trehalose, cellobiose, and thelike; polysaccharides, such as raffinose, melezitose, maltodextrins,dextrans, starches, and the like; and alditols, such as mannitol,xylitol, maltitol, lactitol, xylitol, sorbitol (glucitol), pyranosylsorbitol, myoinositol, and the like.

Also suitable for use in the compositions of the disclosure are potatoand corn-based starches such as sodium starch glycolate and directlycompressible modified starch.

Further representative excipients include inorganic salt or buffers suchas citric acid, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium sulfate,potassium nitrate, sodium phosphate monobasic, sodium phosphate dibasic,and combinations thereof.

A composition of the disclosure may also include an antimicrobial agent,e.g., for preventing or deterring microbial growth. Non-limitingexamples of antimicrobial agents suitable for the present disclosureinclude benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, benzyl alcohol,cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorobutanol, phenol, phenylethyl alcohol,phenylmercuric nitrate, thimersol, and combinations thereof.

A composition of the disclosure may also contain one or moreantioxidants. Antioxidants are used to prevent oxidation, therebypreventing the deterioration of the drug(s) or other components of thepreparation. Suitable antioxidants for use in the present disclosureinclude, for example, ascorbyl palmitate, butylated hydroxyanisole,butylated hydroxytoluene, hypophosphorous acid, monothioglycerol, propylgallate, sodium bisulfite, sodium formaldehyde sulfoxylate, sodiummetabisulfite, and combinations thereof.

Additional excipients include surfactants such as polysorbates, e.g.,“Tween 20” and “Tween 80,” and pluronics such as F68 and F88 (both ofwhich are available from BASF, Mount Olive, N.J.), sorbitan esters,lipids (e.g., phospholipids such as lecithin and otherphosphatidylcholines, and phosphatidylethanolamines), fatty acids andfatty esters, steroids such as cholesterol, and chelating agents, suchas EDTA, zinc and other such suitable cations.

Further, a composition of the disclosure may optionally include one ormore acids or bases. Non-limiting examples of acids that can be usedinclude those acids selected from the group consisting of hydrochloricacid, acetic acid, phosphoric acid, citric acid, malic acid, lacticacid, formic acid, trichloroacetic acid, nitric acid, perchloric acid,phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid, fumaric acid, and combinations thereof.Examples of suitable bases include, without limitation, bases selectedfrom the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, sodium acetate, ammoniumhydroxide, potassium hydroxide, ammonium acetate, potassium acetate,sodium phosphate, potassium phosphate, sodium citrate, sodium formate,sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, potassium fumerate, and combinationsthereof.

The amount of any individual excipient in the composition will varydepending on the role of the excipient, the dosage requirements of theactive agent components, and particular needs of the composition.Typically, the optimal amount of any individual excipient is determinedthrough routine experimentation, i.e., by preparing compositionscontaining varying amounts of the excipient (ranging from low to high),examining the stability and other parameters, and then determining therange at which optimal performance is attained with no significantadverse effects.

Generally, however, the excipient will be present in the composition inan amount of about 1% to about 99% by weight, preferably from about 5%to about 98% by weight, more preferably from about 15 to about 95% byweight of the excipient. In general, the amount of excipient present ina composition of the disclosure is selected from the following: at leastabout 2%, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%,65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, or even 95% by weight.

Modified Release Compositions

When desired, compositions of the present disclosure can be preparedwith enteric coatings adapted for sustained or controlled releaseadministration of the active ingredient. A common type of controlledrelease formulation that may be used for the purposes of the presentdisclosure comprises an inert core, such as a sugar sphere, a firstlayer, coated with an inner drug-containing second layer, and an outermembrane or third layer controlling drug release from the inner layer.

The cores are preferably of a water-soluble or swellable material, andmay be any such material that is conventionally used as cores or anyother pharmaceutically acceptable water-soluble or water-swellablematerial made into beads or pellets. The cores may be spheres ofmaterials such as sucrose/starch (Sugar Spheres NF), sucrose crystals,or extruded and dried spheres typically comprised of excipients such asmicrocrystalline cellulose and lactose.

The substantially water-insoluble material in the first layer isgenerally a “GI insoluble” or “GI partially insoluble” film formingpolymer (dispersed or dissolved in a solvent). As examples may bementioned ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetatebutyrate, polymethacrylates such as ethyl acrylate/methyl methacrylatecopolymer (Eudragit NE-30-D) and ammonio methacrylate copolymer types Aand B (Eudragit RL3OD and RS30D), and silicone elastomers. Usually, aplasticizer is used together with the polymer. Exemplary plasticizersinclude: dibutylsebacate, propylene glycol, triethylcitrate,tributylcitrate, castor oil, acetylated monoglycerides, acetyltriethylcitrate, acetyl butylcitrate, diethyl phthalate, dibutylphthalate, triacetin, fractionated coconut oil (medium-chaintriglycerides).

The second layer containing the active ingredient may be comprised ofthe active ingredient (drug) with or without a polymer as a binder. Thebinder, when used, is usually hydrophilic but may be water-soluble orwater-insoluble. Exemplary polymers to be used in the second layercontaining the active drug are hydrophilic polymers such aspolyvinylpyrrolidone, polyalkylene glycol such as polyethylene glycol,gelatine, polyvinyl alcohol, starch and derivatives thereof, cellulosederivatives, such as hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose,hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethylhydroxyethyl cellulose, acrylic acid polymers, polymethacrylates, or anyother pharmaceutically acceptable polymer. The ratio of drug tohydrophilic polymer in the second layer is usually in the range of from1:100 to 100:1 (w/w).

Suitable polymers for use in the third layer, or membrane, forcontrolling the drug release may be selected from water insolublepolymers or polymers with pH-dependent solubility, such as, for example,ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose phthalate, celluloseacetate phthalate, cellulose acetate trimellitate, polymethacrylates, ormixtures thereof, optionally combined with plasticizers, such as thosementioned above.

Optionally, the controlled release layer comprises, in addition to thepolymers above, another substance(s) with different solubilitycharacteristics, to adjust the permeability, and thereby the releaserate, of the controlled release layer. Exemplary polymers that may beused as a modifier together with, for example, ethyl cellulose include:HPMC, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methylcellulose,carboxymethylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP),polyvinyl alcohol, polymers with pH-dependent solubility, such ascellulose acetate phthalate or ammonio methacrylate copolymer andmethacrylic acid copolymer, or mixtures thereof. Additives such assucrose, lactose and pharmaceutical grade surfactants may also beincluded in the controlled release layer, if desired.

Also provided herein are unit dosage forms of the compositions. In suchforms, the composition of the present disclosure is subdivided into unitdosages containing appropriate quantities of the active component (e.g.,and without limitation, a compound of Formula (I) or an ester thereof,or a salt of each thereof). The unit dosage form can be a packagedpreparation, the package containing discrete quantities of preparation,such as packeted tablets, capsules, and powders in vials or ampoules.Also, the unit dosage form can be a capsule, tablet, cachet, or lozengeitself, or it can be the appropriate number of any of these in packagedform.

Other suitable pharmaceutical carriers and their formulations aredescribed in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy 1995,edited by E. W. Martin, Mack Publishing Company, 19th edition, Easton,Pa.

Other Actives

A formulation (or kit) in accordance with the disclosure may contain, inaddition to ibudilast and riluzole, one or more additional active agentseffective in treating progressive neurodegenerative diseases.Preferably, the active agent is one that possesses a mechanism of actiondifferent from that of ibudilast and riluzole. Such actives include thecombinations for pain listed in US Application No. 20060160843, as wellas the active ingredients recognized for treatment for the targetdiseases. Such active ingredients can be found listed in the FDA'sOrange Book, Goodman & Gilman The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics,J. Griffith Hardman, L. L. Limbird, A. Gilman, 11th Ed., 2005, The MerckManual, 18th edition, 2007, and The Merck Manual of Medical Information2003.

Animal Models

The ability of compositions of the present disclosure to treatneurodegenerative diseases or disorders can be evaluated by any of thestandard progressive neuropathic disease models known in the art.Examples of such models are described in Animal Models of NeurologicalDisease: Neurodegenerative Diseases (Neuromethods) by Alan A. Boulton,Glen B. Baker, and Roger F. Butterworth (1992); Handbook of LaboratoryAnimal Science, Second Edition: Volumes I-III (Handbook of LaboratoryAnimal Science) by Jann Hau (Editor), Jr., Gerald L. Van Hoosier(Editor).(2004); Animal Models of Movement Disorders by Mark LeDoux(Editor), (2005); and Animal Models of Cognitive Impairment (Frontiersin Neuroscience) (2006) by Edward D. Levin (Editor), Jerry J. Buccafusco(Editor).

Kits

Also provided herein is a kit containing at least one combinationcomposition of the disclosure, accompanied by instructions for use.

For example, in instances in which each of the drugs themselves areadministered as individual or separate dosage forms, the kit comprisesibudilast and riluzole, along with instructions for use. The ibudilastand riluzole may be packaged in any manner suitable for administration,so long as the packaging, when considered along with the instructionsfor administration, clearly indicates the manner in which each of thedrug components is to be administered.

For example, in an illustrative kit comprising ibudilast and riluzole,the kit may be organized by any appropriate time period, such as by day.As an example, for Day 1, a representative kit may comprise unit dosagesof each of ibudilast and riluzole. If each of the drugs is to beadministered twice daily, then the kit may contain, corresponding to Day1, two rows of unit dosage forms of each of ibudilast and riluzole,along with instructions for the timing of administration. Alternatively,if ibudilast and riluzole differ in the timing or quantity ofadministration, then such would be reflected in the packaging andinstructions. Various embodiments according to the above may be readilyenvisioned, and would of course depend upon the particular combinationof drugs, in addition to ibudilast and riluzole, employed for treatment,their corresponding dosage forms, recommended dosages, intended patientpopulation, and the like. The packaging may be in any form commonlyemployed for the packaging of pharmaceuticals, and may utilize any of anumber of features such as different colors, wrapping, tamper-resistantpackaging, blister packs, dessicants, and the like.

It is to be understood that while the disclosure has been described inconjunction with preferred specific embodiments, the foregoingdescription as well as the examples that follow are intended toillustrate and not limit the scope of the disclosure. Other aspects,advantages and modifications within the scope of the disclosure will beapparent to those skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains.

All references mentioned in this application, including any patents,published patent applications, books, handbooks, journal publications,or the FDA Orange Book are hereby incorporated by reference herein, intheir entirety.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Drosophila Life Span Assay as an ALS Treatment Model

Drosophila males will be collected. Flies will be transferred to freshfood (with active compounds) every 2-3 days. Daily, the number of livingflies are analyzed. The experiment is performed under temperaturecontrolled conditions (25° C.) and uses negative control (only solvent),and positive controls (wt stock, any antioxidant compound reported asable to increase life span in this fly model). In order to compare theactivity of the testing compounds with riluzole by itself (anFDA-approved drug for ALS), this drug will be added to the assay.

The experiment includes the analysis of different compoundconcentrations of ibudilast and riluzole, each at differentconcentrations and will evaluate 240 flies for each concentration.Recovering on life span curve can indicate positive compound activity.See, FIG. 1.

Timing: 5 months (1-2 months to expand the fly stock and 3 months forassay execution and results interpretation).

Example 2 Drosophila Paraquat Sensitivity Assay as an ALS TreatmentModel

Drosophila males will be collected and keep on fly food for 24 h. Thenflies will be transferred to vials containing 3-mm paper filter diskssaturated with 250 μl of 1% sucrose containing 2 mM paraquat or 1%sucrose, 2 mM paraquat and the tested compounds. The vials will bestored at 25 ° C. in the dark, and flies are enumerated after 24 h.

Three replicas for each concentration will be performed in the same dayand three replicas of the assay will be performed in different days. Anegative control (only solvent), and positive controls (wt stock, anyantioxidant compound reported as able to increase life span in this flymodel), and riluzole will be added to the assay.

The experiment will test different compound of ibudilast-riluzolecombinations and will evaluate 360 flies for each concentration.Resistance to paraquat treatment will be indicative of positive activityof the combinations tested. See, FIG. 2.

Timing: 10 weeks (1-2 months to expand the fly stock, two weeks forassay execution and results interpretation)

Example 3 Evaluation of Anti-ALS Activity On VAP-33A Drosophila Mutants

From other mutant stocks available and involving other ALS linked genes,loss of function of Vap-33-1 gene (excision of transcribed sequence andloss of protein function) displays valid fly phenotypes for evaluationof compounds activity. Indistinctly, Vap-33A^(Δ448) or Vap-33A^(Δ20)stocks display neurophysiology defects linked to a lethal phenotypeduring larvae development.

Viability assay

Vap-33A^(Δ) mutants are larval lethal with rare adult escapers (˜1%)⁷.Embryos or larvae at stage 1 will be seeded on fly food with differentcompound concentrations of ibudilast-riluzole combinations. Threereplicas for each combination will be performed in the same day. Threereplicas of the assay will be performed in different days. Number ofadult escapers will be quantified after 14 days of compound treatment. Anegative control (only solvent), and positive controls (wt stock, anyantioxidant compound reported as able to increase life span in this flymodel), and riluzole will be added to the assay.

The experiment includes the analysis of four compound combinations andwill evaluate 180 flies for each concentration (4 replicates×3 days with15 flies each one).

Timing: 3 months (2 months to expand the fly stock, 1 month for assayexecution and results interpretation

Example 4 Evaluation of ibudilast-riluzole Combination in a Rat Model ofAlzheimer's Disease

A rat animal model for Alzheimer's disease is administered ibudilast andriluzole and an increase brain mass is achieved for the group of animalsbeing administered ibudilast and riluzole, thereby indicating that thismodel can be effective for the treatment of Alzheimer' disease inhumans.

Example 5 Evaluation of ibudilast-riluzole Combination in a Rat Model ofALS

An animal model for ALS is administered ibudilast and riluzole and anincrease brain mass is achieved for this group, thereby indicating thatthis model can be effective for the treatment ALS.

Example 6 Evaluation of ibudilast-riluzole Combination in a Rat Model ofParkinson's Disease

An animal model for Parkinson's disease is administered ibudilast andriluzole and an increase brain mass is achieved for this group, therebyindicating that this model can be effective for the treatmentParkinson's disease.

Example 7 Clinical Trial of the ibudilast-riluzole Combination toEvaluate Its Effectiveness In Alzheimer's Disease

A combination of ibudilast and riluzole is administered to patientsexhibiting the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, as diagnosed by theirphysician and confirmed by an independent board-certified neurologist.Prior to the clinical trial, the patients undergo appropriatepsychoneurological tests such as the Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE), theAlzheimer Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS), the Boston Naming Test (BNT),and the Token Test (TT). Neuropsychological tests are repeated atappropriate points during the clinical trial. The tests are performed byneuropsychologists who are not aware of the patients' treatment regimen.

In this double blind study, patients are randomly assigned to the testgroup or placebo group at the beginning of the study. The ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and placebo are administeredorally at pre-designated intervals. The test patients are evaluated fora specified period of time to determine the effectiveness of treatmentusing the composition as compared to the control group individuals givena placebo. Scores are statistically compared between the testcomposition and the placebo for each of the three observational periods.Without treatment, the natural course of Alzheimer's disease results insignificant deterioration of a patient's test scores during the courseof the clinical trial. A patient treated with the combination of thedisclosure is considered improved if the patient's scores remain thesame or improve compared to placebo during the course of the clinicaltrial.

Example 8 Clinical Trial of the ibudilast-riluzole Combination toEvaluate Its Effectiveness in ALS

A combination of ibudilast and riluzole is administered to patientsexhibiting the symptoms of ALS. In a double blind study, ibudilast andriluzole, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and placebo areadministered orally at pre-designated intervals to a patient group and aplacebo group, respectively. The test patients are evaluated for aspecified period of time to determine the effectiveness of treatmentusing the combination as compared to the control group individuals givena placebo. The TUFTS Quantitative Neuromuscular Examination (TQNE) is awell standardized, reliable, validated test to measure strength andfunction in ALS. The test involves measurement of maximum voluntaryisometric contraction (MVIC) of 8 muscle groups in the arms using astrain gauge tensiometer. This measurement is a standard for clinicaltrials in ALS. The ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS) is an ratingscale used to determine patients' assessment of their ability andindependence in 10 functional activities. Validity has been establishedby correlating ALSFRS scores with change in strength over time. TheALSFRS is generally a secondary outcome measure in clinical trials. Apatient treated with the composition is considered improved if thepatient's scores remain the same or improve compared to placebo duringthe course of the clinical trial.

Example 9 Clinical Trial of the ibudilast-riluzole Combination toEvaluate Its Effectiveness in Parkinson's Disease

A combination of ibudilast and riluzole is administered to patientsexhibiting the symptoms of Parkinson's disease. In a double blind study,ibudilast and riluzole, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof,and placebo are administered orally at pre-designated intervals to apatient group and a placebo group. The test patients are evaluated for aspecified period of time to determine the effectiveness of treatmentusing the combination as compared to the control group individuals givena placebo. The prespecified primary efficacy outcome for Parkinson'sdisease is a change in the Activities of Daily Living and Motorcomponents of the generally accepted Unified Parkinson's Disease RatingScale (UPDRS II/III) between baseline and the last evaluation ontreatment. Other assessment scales such as the UPDRS component scores(mental, motor, ADL), the modified Hoehn and Yahr Stage, Modified Schwaband England ADL score may be used to evaluate the efficacy of thepresent disclosure.

Example 10 Clinical Trial of the ibudilast-riluzole Combination toEvaluate Its Effectiveness In Multiple Sclerosis

A combination of ibudilast and riluzole is administered to patientsexhibiting the symptoms of multiple sclerosis. In a double blind study,ibudilast and riluzole, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof,and placebo are administered orally at pre-designated intervals to apatient group and a placebo group. A clinical trial will includemultiple sclerosis patients diagnosed on McDonald criteria, with abaseline Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDDS) between 0 and 5 andeither at least one relapse within the last 12 months of randomizationand a previous MRI scanning showing lesions consistent with multiplesclerosis or Gd E lesions on MRI scan done within 6 months ofrandomization.

The primary endpoint for the clinical trial is time-to-confirmed diseaseprogression or treatment failure as measured by EDSS or MultipleSclerosis Functional Composite Score. Secondary endpoints includerelapse rate-related endpoints and MRI measurement-related endpoints.Other tertiary endpoints may be measured, including cognitivefunction-related endpoints and quality of life-related endpoints.

Embodiments

1. A method of alleviating negative effects of a neurodegenerativedisease or disorder in a human patient suffering therefrom, comprisingadministering to the human patient:

-   -   (a) a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

2. The method of Embodiment 1, in which the ibudilast orpharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the riluzole orpharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered in separatedosage forms.

3. The method of Embodiment 1, in which the ibudilast orpharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the riluzole orpharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered in the samedosage form.

4. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-3, in which the ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered orally.

5. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-4, in which the ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered in a tablet ora capsule dosage form.

6. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-5, in which the ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered in a liquiddosage form.

7. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-6, wherein the ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered in an amountfrom about 100 mg/day to about 4,000 mg/day, divided into one, two, orthree portions.

8. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-7, in which the riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered in an amountfrom about 1 mg/kg/day to about 1000 mg/kg/day of the patient, dividedinto one, two, or three portions.

9. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-8, wherein theneurodegenerative disease or disorder compromises the nervous system.

10. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-9, wherein theneurodegenerative disease or disorder is Alzheimer's disease, Seniledementia of the Alzheimer type, Pick's disease (lobar atrophy),syndromes combining progressive dementia with other prominent neurologicabnormalities, Huntington's disease, multiple system atrophy combiningdementia with ataxia and/or manifestation of Parkinson's disease,progressive supranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski), diffuseLewy body disease, corticodentatinigral degeneration, Hallervorden-Spatzdisease, progressive familial myoclonic epilepsy, symptoms of graduallydeveloping abnormalities of posture and movement, paralysis agitans(Parkinson's disease), striatonigral degeneration, progressivesupranuclear palsy, torsion dystonia (torsion spasm; dystonia musculorumdeformans), spasmodic torticollis and other restricted dyskinesias,Familial tremor, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, progressive ataxia,cerebellar degenerations, spinocerebellar degenerations, cerebellarcortical degeneration, olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA),spinocerebellar degenerations (Friedreich's ataxia and relateddisorders), central autonomic nervous system failure (Shy-Dragersyndrome), syndromes of muscular weakness and wasting without sensorychanges (motor neuron disease), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),spinal muscular atrophy, infantile spinal muscular atrophy(Werdnig-Hoffmann), juvenile spinal muscular atrophy(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander), other forms of familial spinal muscularatrophy, primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia,syndromes combining muscular weakness and wasting with sensory changes(progressive neural muscular atrophy; chronic familialpolyneuropathies), peroneal muscular atrophy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth),hypertrophic interstitial polyneuropathy (Deferine-Sottas), ormiscellaneous forms of chronic progressive neuropathy, syndromes ofprogressive visual loss, pigmentary degeneration of the retina(retinitis pigmentosa), hereditary optic atrophy (Leber's disease),Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders, progressivesupranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome), torsiondystonia (torsion spasm, dystonia musculorum deformans), focaldystonias, motor neuron disease, progressive ataxias, primary lateralsclerosis, multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block, motorneuropathy with paraproeinemia, motor-predominant peripheralneuropathies, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Azorean (Machado-Joseph)disease, familial progressive neurodegenerative diseases, familialamyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophies, familialspastic paraparesis, hereditary biochemical disorders, arthrogryposismuliplex congenital, or progressive juvenile bulbar palsy (Fazio-Londe),infantile (Werdnig-Hoffman disease), childhood onset, or adolescent(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease), familial HTLV-1 myelopathy,isolated FSP, or complicated FSP, superoxide dismutase deficiency,hexosaminidase A and B deficiency, androgen receptor mutation (Kennedy'ssyndrome), viral and prion diseases, myelopathy, progressive multifocalleukoencephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease,Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, kuru, fatal familial insomnia,Alper's disease, primary progressive or secondary progressive multiplesclerosis, but not relapsing, remitting multiple sclerosis,frontotemporal dementia, Wilson's disease, progressive neuropathic pain,ischemia caused by stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cordinjury.

11. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-10, wherein theneurodegenerative disease or disorder is Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or multiplesclerosis.

12. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-11, wherein theneurodegenerative disease or disorder is ALS.

13. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-12, wherein the ibudilast andthe riluzole, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, areadministered simultaneously.

14. The method of any one of Embodiments 1-12, wherein the ibudilast andthe riluzole, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, areadministered consecutively.

15. A method of slowing progression of disease in a patient diagnosedwith a chronic neurodegenerative disease, comprising administering tothe patient:

-   -   (a) a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

16. The method of Embodiment 15, in which the ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered orally.

17. The method of any one of Embodiments 15-16, wherein theneurodegenerative disease compromises the nervous system.

18. The method of any one of Embodiments 15-17, wherein theneurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's disease, Senile dementia of theAlzheimer type, Pick's disease (lobar atrophy), syndromes combiningprogressive dementia with other prominent neurologic abnormalities,Huntington's disease, multiple system atrophy combining dementia withataxia and/or manifestation of Parkinson's disease, progressivesupranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski), diffuse Lewy bodydisease, corticodentatinigral degeneration, Hallervorden-Spatz disease,progressive familial myoclonic epilepsy, symptoms of graduallydeveloping abnormalities of posture and movement, paralysis agitans(Parkinson's disease), striatonigral degeneration, progressivesupranuclear palsy, torsion dystonia (torsion spasm; dystonia musculorumdeformans), spasmodic torticollis and other restricted dyskinesias,Familial tremor, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, progressive ataxia,cerebellar degenerations, spinocerebellar degenerations, cerebellarcortical degeneration, olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA),spinocerebellar degenerations (Friedreich's ataxia and relateddisorders), central autonomic nervous system failure (Shy-Dragersyndrome), syndromes of muscular weakness and wasting without sensorychanges (motor neuron disease), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),spinal muscular atrophy, infantile spinal muscular atrophy(Werdnig-Hoffmann), juvenile spinal muscular atrophy(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander), other forms of familial spinal muscularatrophy, primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia,syndromes combining muscular weakness and wasting with sensory changes(progressive neural muscular atrophy; chronic familialpolyneuropathies), peroneal muscular atrophy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth),hypertrophic interstitial polyneuropathy (Deferine-Sottas), ormiscellaneous forms of chronic progressive neuropathy, syndromes ofprogressive visual loss, pigmentary degeneration of the retina(retinitis pigmentosa), hereditary optic atrophy (Leber's disease),Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders, progressivesupranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome), torsiondystonia (torsion spasm, dystonia musculorum deformans), focaldystonias, motor neuron disease, progressive ataxias, primary lateralsclerosis, multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block, motorneuropathy with paraproeinemia, motor-predominant peripheralneuropathies, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Azorean (Machado-Joseph)disease, familial progressive neurodegenerative diseases, familialamyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophies, familialspastic paraparesis, hereditary biochemical disorders, arthrogryposismuliplex congenital, or progressive juvenile bulbar palsy (Fazio-Londe),infantile (Werdnig-Hoffman disease), childhood onset, or adolescent(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease), familial HTLV-1 myelopathy,isolated FSP, or complicated FSP, superoxide dismutase deficiency,hexosaminidase A and B deficiency, androgen receptor mutation (Kennedy'ssyndrome), viral and prion diseases, myelopathy, progressive multifocalleukoencephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease,Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, kuru, fatal familial insomnia,Alper's disease, primary progressive or secondary progressive multiplesclerosis, but not relapsing, remitting multiple sclerosis,frontotemporal dementia, Wilson's disease, progressive neuropathic pain,ischemia caused by stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cordinjury.

19. The method of any one of Embodiments 15-18, wherein theneurodegenerative disease or disorder is Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or multiplesclerosis.

20. The method of any one of Embodiments 15-19, wherein theneurodegenerative disease or disorder is ALS.

21. The method of any one of Embodiments 15-20, wherein the ibudilastand the riluzole are administered simultaneously.

22. The method of any one of Embodiments 15-21, wherein the ibudilastand the riluzole are administered consecutively.

23. A composition for oral administration, comprising:

-   -   (a) ibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,    -   (b) riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (c) optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or        carrier.

24. The composition of Embodiment 23, comprising ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount from about 100 mgto about 4,000 mg, divided into one, two, or three portions.

25. The composition of any one of Embodiments 23-24, comprising riluzoleor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount from about 50mg to about 4,000 mg, divided into one, two, or three portions.

26. The composition of any one of Embodiments 23-25, comprising fromabout 100 mg to about 4,000 mg of ibudilast or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof and from about 50 mg to about 4,000 mg ofriluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. 27. Thecomposition of any one of Embodiments 23-26, wherein the ibudilast andthe riluzole are in a single tablet or a single capsule dosage form.

28. The composition of any one of Embodiments 23-27, wherein theibudilast and the riluzole are in a liquid dosage form.

29. A method of treating a patient diagnosed with a neurodegenerativedisease or disorder, comprising administering to a patient in needthereof:

-   -   (a) a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

30. The method of Embodiment 29, in which the ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered orally.

31. The method of any one of Embodiments 29-30, in which the ibudilastor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered in a tablet ora capsule.

32. The method of any one of Embodiments 29-30, in which the ibudilastor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered in a liquiddosage form.

33. The method of any one of Embodiments 29-32, wherein the ibudilast ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered in an amountfrom about 100 mg to about 4,000 mg/day, divided into one, two, or threeportions.

34. The method of any one of Embodiments 29-33, in which the riluzole orpharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered in an amountfrom about 1 mg/kg/day to about 1000 mg/kg/day of the patient, dividedinto one, two, or three portions.

35. The method of any one of Embodiments 29-34, wherein theneurodegenerative disease or disorder compromises the nervous system.

36. The method of any one of Embodiments 29-35, wherein theneurodegenerative disease or disorder is Alzheimer's disease, Seniledementia of the Alzheimer type, Pick's disease (lobar atrophy),syndromes combining progressive dementia with other prominent neurologicabnormalities, Huntington's disease, multiple system atrophy combiningdementia with ataxia and/or manifestation of Parkinson's disease,progressive supranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski), diffuseLewy body disease, corticodentatinigral degeneration, Hallervorden-Spatzdisease, progressive familial myoclonic epilepsy, symptoms of graduallydeveloping abnormalities of posture and movement, paralysis agitans(Parkinson's disease), striatonigral degeneration, progressivesupranuclear palsy, torsion dystonia (torsion spasm; dystonia musculorumdeformans), spasmodic torticollis and other restricted dyskinesias,Familial tremor, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, progressive ataxia,cerebellar degenerations, spinocerebellar degenerations, cerebellarcortical degeneration, olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA),spinocerebellar degenerations (Friedreich's ataxia and relateddisorders), central autonomic nervous system failure (Shy-Dragersyndrome), syndromes of muscular weakness and wasting without sensorychanges (motor neuron disease), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),spinal muscular atrophy, infantile spinal muscular atrophy(Werdnig-Hoffmann), juvenile spinal muscular atrophy(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander), other forms of familial spinal muscularatrophy, primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia,syndromes combining muscular weakness and wasting with sensory changes(progressive neural muscular atrophy; chronic familialpolyneuropathies), peroneal muscular atrophy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth),hypertrophic interstitial polyneuropathy (Deferine-Sottas), ormiscellaneous forms of chronic progressive neuropathy, syndromes ofprogressive visual loss, pigmentary degeneration of the retina(retinitis pigmentosa), hereditary optic atrophy (Leber's disease),Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders, progressivesupranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome), torsiondystonia (torsion spasm, dystonia musculorum deformans), focaldystonias, motor neuron disease, progressive ataxias, primary lateralsclerosis, multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block, motorneuropathy with paraproeinemia, motor-predominant peripheralneuropathies, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Azorean (Machado-Joseph)disease, familial progressive neurodegenerative diseases, familialamyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophies, familialspastic paraparesis, hereditary biochemical disorders, arthrogryposismuliplex congenital, or progressive juvenile bulbar palsy (Fazio-Londe),infantile (Werdnig-Hoffman disease), childhood onset, or adolescent(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease), familial HTLV-1 myelopathy,isolated FSP, or complicated FSP, superoxide dismutase deficiency,hexosaminidase A and B deficiency, androgen receptor mutation (Kennedy'ssyndrome), viral and prion diseases, myelopathy, progressive multifocalleukoencephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease,Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, kuru, fatal familial insomnia,Alper's disease, primary progressive or secondary progressive multiplesclerosis, but not relapsing, remitting multiple sclerosis,frontotemporal dementia, Wilson's disease, progressive neuropathic pain,ischemia caused by stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cordinjury.

37. The method of any one of Embodiments 29-36, wherein theneurodegenerative disease or disorder is Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or multiplesclerosis.

38. The method of any one of Embodiments 29-37, wherein theneurodegenerative disease or disorder is ALS.

39. The method of any one of Embodiments 29-38, wherein the ibudilastand the riluzole are administered simultaneously.

40. The method of any one of Embodiments 29-38, wherein the ibudilastand the riluzole are administered consecutively in any order.

41. A method of reducing a volume of an infarct (an area of necrosis ina tissue or organ resulting from obstruction of the local circulation bya thrombus or embolus) in a patient suffering from an ischemia,comprising administering to a patient in need thereof:

-   -   (a) a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and    -   (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a        pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

in which a volume of an infarct in the treated patient is reducedcompared to a volume of an infarct in a control patient.

42. The method of Embodiment 41, in which the ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered orally.

43. The method of any one of Embodiments 41-42, in which the ibudilastor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered in a tablet ora capsule dosage form.

44. The method of any one of Embodiments 41-42, in which the ibudilastor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered in a liquiddosage form.

45. The method of any one of Embodiments 41-44, wherein the ibudilast ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered in an amountfrom about 100 mg to about 4,000 mg/day, divided into one, two, or threeportions.

46. The method of any one of Embodiments 41-45, in which the riluzole ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administered in an amountfrom about 1 mg/kg/day to about 1000 mg/kg/day of the patient, dividedinto one, two, or three portions.

47. The method of any one of Embodiments 41-46, wherein the ibudilastand the riluzole are administered simultaneously in a single dosageform.

48. The method of any one of Embodiments 41-47, wherein the ibudilastand the riluzole are administered in separate dosage forms.

49. A therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a therapeutically effectiveamount of riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for usein a method of alleviating negative effects of a neurodegenerativedisease.

50. A therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a therapeutically effectiveamount of riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for usein a method of slowing progression of disease in a patient diagnosedwith a chronic neurodegenerative disease.

51. A therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a therapeutically effectiveamount of riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for usein a method of treating a patient diagnosed with a neurodegenerativedisease or disorder.

52. The therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the therapeuticallyeffective amount of riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof of any one of Embodiments 49-51, wherein the neurodegenerativedisease or disorder is Alzheimer's disease, Senile dementia of theAlzheimer type, Pick's disease (lobar atrophy), syndromes combiningprogressive dementia with other prominent neurologic abnormalities,Huntington's disease, multiple system atrophy combining dementia withataxia and/or manifestation of Parkinson's disease, progressivesupranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski), diffuse Lewy bodydisease, corticodentatinigral degeneration, Hallervorden-Spatz disease,progressive familial myoclonic epilepsy, symptoms of graduallydeveloping abnormalities of posture and movement, paralysis agitans(Parkinson's disease), striatonigral degeneration, progressivesupranuclear palsy, torsion dystonia (torsion spasm; dystonia musculorumdeformans), spasmodic torticollis and other restricted dyskinesias,Familial tremor, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, progressive ataxia,cerebellar degenerations, spinocerebellar degenerations, cerebellarcortical degeneration, olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA),spinocerebellar degenerations (Friedreich's ataxia and relateddisorders), central autonomic nervous system failure (Shy-Dragersyndrome), syndromes of muscular weakness and wasting without sensorychanges (motor neuron disease), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),spinal muscular atrophy, infantile spinal muscular atrophy(Werdnig-Hoffmann), juvenile spinal muscular atrophy(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander), other forms of familial spinal muscularatrophy, primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia,syndromes combining muscular weakness and wasting with sensory changes(progressive neural muscular atrophy; chronic familialpolyneuropathies), peroneal muscular atrophy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth),hypertrophic interstitial polyneuropathy (Deferine-Sottas), ormiscellaneous forms of chronic progressive neuropathy, syndromes ofprogressive visual loss, pigmentary degeneration of the retina(retinitis pigmentosa), hereditary optic atrophy (Leber's disease),Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders, progressivesupranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome), torsiondystonia (torsion spasm, dystonia musculorum deformans), focaldystonias, motor neuron disease, progressive ataxias, primary lateralsclerosis, multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block, motorneuropathy with paraproeinemia, motor-predominant peripheralneuropathies, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Azorean (Machado-Joseph)disease, familial progressive neurodegenerative diseases, familialamyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophies, familialspastic paraparesis, hereditary biochemical disorders, arthrogryposismuliplex congenital, or progressive juvenile bulbar palsy (Fazio-Londe),infantile (Werdnig-Hoffman disease), childhood onset, or adolescent(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease), familial HTLV-1 myelopathy,isolated FSP, or complicated FSP, superoxide dismutase deficiency,hexosaminidase A and B deficiency, androgen receptor mutation (Kennedy'ssyndrome), viral and prion diseases, myelopathy, progressive multifocalleukoencephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease,Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, kuru, fatal familial insomnia,Alper's disease, primary progressive or secondary progressive multiplesclerosis, but not relapsing, remitting multiple sclerosis,frontotemporal dementia, Wilson's disease, progressive neuropathic pain,ischemia caused by stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cordinjury.

53. The therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the therapeuticallyeffective amount of riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof of any one of Embodiments 49-52, wherein the neurodegenerativedisease or disorder is Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or multiple sclerosis.

54. The therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the therapeuticallyeffective amount of riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof of any one of Embodiments 49-53, wherein the neurodegenerativedisease or disorder is ALS.

55. A therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a therapeutically effectiveamount of riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for usein a method of reducing a volume of an infarct (an area of necrosis in atissue or organ resulting from obstruction of the local circulation by athrombus or embolus) in a patient suffering from an ischemia.

56. Use of a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a therapeutically effectiveamount of riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in themanufacture of a medicament for alleviating negative effects of aneurodegenerative disease.

57. Use of a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a therapeutically effectiveamount of riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in themanufacture of a medicament for slowing progression of disease in apatient diagnosed with a chronic neurodegenerative disease.

58. Use of a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a therapeutically effectiveamount of riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in themanufacture of a medicament for treating a patient diagnosed with aneurodegenerative disease or disorder.

59. The use of any one of Embodiments 56-58, wherein theneurodegenerative disease or disorder is Alzheimer's disease, Seniledementia of the Alzheimer type, Pick's disease (lobar atrophy),syndromes combining progressive dementia with other prominent neurologicabnormalities, Huntington's disease, multiple system atrophy combiningdementia with ataxia and/or manifestation of Parkinson's disease,progressive supranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski), diffuseLewy body disease, corticodentatinigral degeneration, Hallervorden-Spatzdisease, progressive familial myoclonic epilepsy, symptoms of graduallydeveloping abnormalities of posture and movement, paralysis agitans(Parkinson's disease), striatonigral degeneration, progressivesupranuclear palsy, torsion dystonia (torsion spasm; dystonia musculorumdeformans), spasmodic torticollis and other restricted dyskinesias,Familial tremor, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, progressive ataxia,cerebellar degenerations, spinocerebellar degenerations, cerebellarcortical degeneration, olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA),spinocerebellar degenerations (Friedreich's ataxia and relateddisorders), central autonomic nervous system failure (Shy-Dragersyndrome), syndromes of muscular weakness and wasting without sensorychanges (motor neuron disease), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),spinal muscular atrophy, infantile spinal muscular atrophy(Werdnig-Hoffmann), juvenile spinal muscular atrophy(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander), other forms of familial spinal muscularatrophy, primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia,syndromes combining muscular weakness and wasting with sensory changes(progressive neural muscular atrophy; chronic familialpolyneuropathies), peroneal muscular atrophy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth),hypertrophic interstitial polyneuropathy (Deferine-Sottas), ormiscellaneous forms of chronic progressive neuropathy, syndromes ofprogressive visual loss, pigmentary degeneration of the retina(retinitis pigmentosa), hereditary optic atrophy (Leber's disease),Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders, progressivesupranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome), torsiondystonia (torsion spasm, dystonia musculorum deformans), focaldystonias, motor neuron disease, progressive ataxias, primary lateralsclerosis, multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block, motorneuropathy with paraproeinemia, motor-predominant peripheralneuropathies, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Azorean (Machado-Joseph)disease, familial progressive neurodegenerative diseases, familialamyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophies, familialspastic paraparesis, hereditary biochemical disorders, arthrogryposismuliplex congenital, or progressive juvenile bulbar palsy (Fazio-Londe),infantile (Werdnig-Hoffman disease), childhood onset, or adolescent(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease), familial HTLV-1 myelopathy,isolated FSP, or complicated FSP, superoxide dismutase deficiency,hexosaminidase A and B deficiency, androgen receptor mutation (Kennedy'ssyndrome), viral and prion diseases, myelopathy, progressive multifocalleukoencephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease,Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, kuru, fatal familial insomnia,Alper's disease, primary progressive or secondary progressive multiplesclerosis, but not relapsing, remitting multiple sclerosis,frontotemporal dementia, Wilson's disease, progressive neuropathic pain,ischemia caused by stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cordinjury.

60. The use of any one of Embodiments 56-59, wherein theneurodegenerative disease or disorder is Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or multiplesclerosis.

61. The use of any one of Embodiments 56-60, wherein theneurodegenerative disease or disorder is ALS.

62. Use of a therapeutically effective amount of ibudilast or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a therapeutically effectiveamount of riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in themanufacture of a medicament for reducing a volume of an infarct (an areaof necrosis in a tissue or organ resulting from obstruction of the localcirculation by a thrombus or embolus) in a patient suffering from anischemia.

While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it shouldbe understood that changes and modifications can be made therein inaccordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from thetechnology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.

The embodiments, illustratively described herein may suitably bepracticed in the absence of any element or elements, limitation orlimitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, theterms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etc. shall be readexpansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms andexpressions employed herein have been used as terms of description andnot of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such termsand expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown anddescribed or portions thereof, but it is recognized that variousmodifications are possible within the scope of the claimed technology.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particularembodiments described in this application. Many modifications andvariations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, aswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalentmethods and compositions within the scope of the disclosure, in additionto those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the artfrom the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations areintended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The presentdisclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims,along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims areentitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited toparticular methods, reagents, compounds, compositions or biologicalsystems, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and allpurposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, allranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subrangesand combinations of subranges thereof. For example, ranges describingisomeric ratios disclosed herein encompass any and all possiblesubranges of ratios thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognizedas sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken downinto at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As anon-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily brokendown into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will alsobe understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,”“at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like, include thenumber recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken downinto subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by oneskilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.

All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and otherdocuments referred to in this specification are herein incorporated byreference as if each individual publication, patent application, issuedpatent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated tobe incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that arecontained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extentthat they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

Other embodiments are set forth in the following claims.

1. A method of (i) alleviating negative effects of a neurodegenerativedisease or disorder in a human patient suffering therefrom, or (ii)treating a patient diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease ordisorder, or (iii) slowing progression of disease in a patient diagnosedwith a chronic neurodegenerative disease, comprising administering tothe human patient or patient: (a) a therapeutically effective amount ofibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and (b) atherapeutically effective amount of riluzole or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, in which theibudilast or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the riluzoleor pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered in separatedosage forms or in the same dosage form.
 3. (canceled)
 4. The method ofclaim 1, in which the ibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof and riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof areadministered orally.
 5. The method of claim 4, in which the ibudilast ora pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered in a tablet, acapsule, or a liquid dosage form.
 6. (canceled)
 7. The method of claim1, wherein (a) the ibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof is administered in an amount from about 100 mg/day to about4,000 mg/day, divided into one, two, or three portion; or (b) theriluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administeredin an amount from about 1 mg/kg/day to about 1000 mg/kg/day of thepatient, divided into one, two, or three portions. 8-9. (canceled) 10.The method of claim 1, wherein the neurodegenerative disease or disorderor chronic neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's disease, Seniledementia of the Alzheimer type, Pick's disease (lobar atrophy),syndromes combining progressive dementia with other prominent neurologicabnormalities, Huntington's disease, multiple system atrophy combiningdementia with ataxia and/or manifestation of Parkinson's disease,progressive supranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski), diffuseLewy body disease, corticodentatinigral degeneration, Hallervorden-Spatzdisease, progressive familial myoclonic epilepsy, symptoms of graduallydeveloping abnormalities of posture and movement, paralysis agitans(Parkinson's disease), striatonigral degeneration, progressivesupranuclear palsy, torsion dystonia (torsion spasm; dystonia musculorumdeformans), spasmodic torticollis and other restricted dyskinesias,Familial tremor, Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, progressive ataxia,cerebellar degenerations, spinocerebellar degenerations, cerebellarcortical degeneration, olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA),spinocerebellar degenerations (Friedreich's ataxia and relateddisorders), central autonomic nervous system failure (Shy-Dragersyndrome), syndromes of muscular weakness and wasting without sensorychanges (motor neuron disease), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS),spinal muscular atrophy, infantile spinal muscular atrophy(Werdnig-Hoffmann), juvenile spinal muscular atrophy(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander), other forms of familial spinal muscularatrophy, primary lateral sclerosis, hereditary spastic paraplegia,syndromes combining muscular weakness and wasting with sensory changes(progressive neural muscular atrophy; chronic familialpolyneuropathies), peroneal muscular atrophy (Charcot-Marie-Tooth),hypertrophic interstitial polyneuropathy (Deferine-Sottas), ormiscellaneous forms of chronic progressive neuropathy, syndromes ofprogressive visual loss, pigmentary degeneration of the retina(retinitis pigmentosa), hereditary optic atrophy (Leber's disease),Parkinson's disease and other extrapyramidal disorders, progressivesupranuclear palsy (Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome), torsiondystonia (torsion spasm, dystonia musculorum deformans), focaldystonias, motor neuron disease, progressive ataxias, primary lateralsclerosis, multifocal motor neuropathy with conduction block, motorneuropathy with paraproeinemia, motor-predominant peripheralneuropathies, olivopontocerebellar atrophy, Azorean (Machado-Joseph)disease, familial progressive neurodegenerative diseases, familialamyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophies, familialspastic paraparesis, hereditary biochemical disorders, arthrogryposismuliplex congenital, or progressive juvenile bulbar palsy (Fazio-Londe),infantile (Werdnig-Hoffman disease), childhood onset, or adolescent(Wohlfart-Kugelberg-Welander disease), familial HTLV-1 myelopathy,isolated FSP, or complicated FSP, superoxide dismutase deficiency,hexosaminidase A and B deficiency, androgen receptor mutation (Kennedy'ssyndrome), viral and prion diseases, myelopathy, progressive multifocalleukoencephalopathy, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease,Gerstmann-Straussler-Scheinker disease, kuru, fatal familial insomnia,Alper's disease, primary progressive or secondary progressive multiplesclerosis, but not relapsing, remitting multiple sclerosis,frontotemporal dementia, Wilson's disease, progressive neuropathic pain,ischemia caused by stroke, traumatic brain injury, or spinal cordinjury.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the neurodegenerative diseaseor disorder or chronic neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's disease,Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), or multiplesclerosis.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the neurodegenerativedisease or disorder or chronic neurodegenerative disease is ALS.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the ibudilast and the riluzole, orpharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are administeredsimultaneously or consecutively. 14-22. (canceled)
 23. A composition fororal administration, comprising: (a) ibudilast or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof, (b) riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof, and (c) optionally, a pharmaceutically acceptableexcipient or carrier.
 24. The composition of claim 23, comprisingibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amountfrom about 100 mg to about 4,000 mg, divided into one, two, or threeportions.
 25. The composition of claim 23, comprising riluzole orpharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in an amount from about 50 mgto about 4,000 mg, divided into one, two, or three portions.
 26. Thecomposition of claim 23, comprising from about 100 mg to about 4,000 mgof ibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and fromabout 50 mg to about 4,000 mg of riluzole or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof.
 27. The composition of claim 23, wherein theibudilast and the riluzole are in a single tablet or a single capsuledosage form.
 28. The composition of claim 23, wherein the ibudilast andthe riluzole are in a liquid dosage form. 29-40. (canceled)
 41. A methodof reducing a volume of an infarct (an area of necrosis in a tissue ororgan resulting from obstruction of the local circulation by a thrombusor embolus) in a patient suffering from an ischemia, comprisingadministering to a patient in need thereof: (a) a therapeuticallyeffective amount of ibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, and (b) a therapeutically effective amount of riluzole or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in which a volume of aninfarct in the treated patient is reduced compared to a volume of aninfarct in a control patient.
 42. The method of claim 41, in which theibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the riluzoleor a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof are administered orally.43. The method of claim 41, in which the ibudilast or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof and riluzole or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof are administered in a tablet, a capsule, or a liquid dosageform.
 44. (canceled)
 45. The method of claim 41, wherein a) theibudilast or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is administeredin an amount from about 100 mg to about 4,000 mg/day, divided into one,two, or three portions; or (b) the riluzole or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof is administered in an amount from about 1mg/kg/day to about 1000 mg/kg/day of the patient, divided into one, two,or three portions.
 46. (canceled)
 47. The method of claim 41, whereinthe ibudilast and the riluzole are administered simultaneously in asingle dosage form or separate dosage forms. 48-62. (canceled)